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Controversial Issues on the Role of Conditional Cash Transfer Programs to Improve Nutrition

Apr 17, 2009 - 03:30 pm to 04:30 pm UTC

19th Annual Martin J. Forman Memorial Lecture and Luncheon

Conditional cash transfer (CCT) programs are becoming increasingly popular throughout the developing world. They have been shown to be an effective poverty-alleviation strategy in many countries, and a mechanism to enhance investments in human capital among poor households. Their contribution to the fight against childhood undernutrition, however, remains questionable. Join us in the discussion of “Controversial Issues on the Role of Conditional Cash Transfer Programs to Improve Nutrition.” Santiago Levy, Vice President for Sectors and Knowledge at the Inter-American Development Bank and the main architect of the first CCT program, PROGRESA-Oportunidades in Mexico, will share his insights and extraordinary experience with CCTs. He will address topics such as the potential versus the demonstrated contribution of CCTs at improving nutrition, the scaling-up of CCT programs, the political processes needed for their successful incorporation into social policy, and the role of policy research in this process.

All attendees are cordially invited to join the Forman family, the guest speaker, and leading members of the nutrition community for lunch at IFPRI following the lecture.

Martin J. Forman headed the Office of Nutrition at USAID for more than 20 years, and the annual lecture commemorates the significant impact he had on international nutrition. The annual lecturer is selected for his or her outstanding contribution in addressing malnutrition and is invited to present personal, often unconventional views about major issues relating to the field of international nutrition.